| zinc | <chemistry, element> An essential trace element being an essential component of the active site of a variety of enzymes. Zinc has a high affinity for the side chains of cysteine and histidine. Zinc is present in tissues at levels of 0.1mM, but intracellular levels must be much lower. Abbreviation: Zn (18 Nov 1997) |
|---|---|
| zinc-65 | A radioactive zinc isotope that decays mainly by K-capture with a half-life of 243.8 days; used as a tracer in studies of zinc metabolism. (05 Mar 2000) |
| zinc acetate | <chemical> A salt produced by the reaction of zinc oxide with acetic acid. It is used as a pharmaceutic necessity for zinc-eugenol cement and also as an astringent, styptic, and formerly as an emetic. Pharmacological action: astringents, pharmaceutic aid. (12 Dec 1998) |
| zinc arsenate | <chemical> A toxic compound of zinc and arsenic which is used as an insecticide and to preserve timber from decay. (11 May 1997) |
| zinc caprylate | A topical antifungal compound. (05 Mar 2000) |
| zinc chloride | ZnCl2;formerly used as a caustic for the removal of cutaneous cancers, nevi, etc., and in weak solution in the treatment of gonorrhoea and conjunctivitis. Synonym: butter of zinc. (05 Mar 2000) |
| zinc colic | Colic resulting from chronic zinc poisoning. (05 Mar 2000) |
| zinc compounds | Inorganic compounds that contain zinc as an integral part of the molecule. (12 Dec 1998) |
| zinc D-Ala-D-Ala carboxypeptidase | <enzyme> Involved in last step of peptidoglycan synthesis; resistant to penicillin; see also record for d-alanyl-d-alanine serine peptidases Registry number: EC 3.4.17.14 Synonym: d-alanyl-d-alanine peptidase, zn(2+)g, zn(2+)g d-ala-d-ala peptidase, zn-ala-ala peptidase, zn(2+)g d-alanyl-d-alanine peptidase (26 Jun 1999) |
| zinc deficiency | : Deficiency of zinc is associated with short stature, anaemia, increased pigmentation of skin (hyperpigmentation), enlarged liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly), impaired gonadal function (hypogonadism), impaired wound healing, and immune deficiency. (for a genetic disorder that impairs zinc uptake, please see acrodermatitis enteropathica). According to the national academy of sciences, the recommended dietary allowances of zinc are 12 milligrams per day for women and 10 milligrams per day for men. Food sources of zinc include meat including liver, eggs, seafood, nuts and cereal. (12 Dec 1998) |
| zinc deficiency dermatitis and diarrhoea | A genetic disease called acrodermatitis enteropathica is characterised by the simultaneous occurrence of skin inflammation (dermatitis) and diarrhoea. The skin on the cheeks, elbows and knees and tissue about the mouth and anus are inflammed. There is also balding of the scalp, eyebrows and lashes, delayed wound healing and recurrent bacterial and fungal infections due to immune deficiency. The key laboratory finding is an abnormally low blood zinc level reflecting impaired zinc uptake. Oral treatment with zinc is curative. (12 Dec 1998) |
| zinc excess | Too much zinc can cause gastrointestinal irritation (upset stomach), interfere with copper absorption and cause copper deficiency, and (like too little zinc) cause immune deficiency. According to the national academy of sciences, the recommended dietary allowances of zinc are 12 milligrams per day for women and 10 milligrams per day for men. (12 Dec 1998) |
| zinc finger | <molecular biology> A specialised protein group that is characterised by a single zinc atom associated with DNA binding proteins. A loop of 12 amino acids contains either 2 cysteine and 2 histidine groups (a cysteine histidine zinc finger) or 4 cysteines (a cysteine cysteine zinc finger), that directly co ordinate a zinc atom. The loops (usually present in multiples) intercalate directly into the DNA helix. Originally identified in the RNA polymerase III transcription factor TFIIIA. (18 Nov 1997) |
| zinc fingers | Domains in DNA- and RNA-binding proteins that contain amino acids which are folded into a single structural unit around a zinc atom that links two cysteines and two histidines. Each finger is postulated to recognise a specific sequence of about five nucleotide pairs. (12 Dec 1998) |
| zinc fume fever | An occupational disease, characterised by malaria-like symptoms, due to inhalation of particles and fumes of metallic oxides. Fumes are formed by evaporation at very high temperature and condensation in air into fine particles. Synonym: brass founder's ague, foundryman's fever, metal fume fever, zinc fume fever. (05 Mar 2000) |